Plaza unveils 2011 budget

Richard Jacques

The Great Neck Plaza Board of Trustees on Jan. 5 presented a tentative $5.8 million budget and salary schedule for 2011 – $114,000 less than the 2010 budget.

“I believe it represents good fiscal management and accountability,” said Village of Great Neck Plaza Mayor Jean Celender.

The mayor said she was comfortable with the budget which included no tax increases.

“We recognize that these are extraordinary times,” said Celender. “Tax rates have got to go up or you’ve got to lower costs.”

Trustee Pamela Marksheid said the amount of work involved in preparing the budget was “monumental.”

Trustee Gerry Schneiderman. said it is commendable that for five years in a row, the plaza has not had to raise village taxes..

At the meeting, plaza officials also approved Federal Transportation Enhancement Program funding for a Middle Neck Road enhancement project to improve the area around the village train station.

The federal money comes from funds distributed by the state Department of Transportation through a competitive process, according to Celender, who has worked for several years to secure the grant.

“This was my late Christmas present. I was very happy to receive this,” said the mayor.

The $725,000 project includes $511,000 to be paid for by the transportation grant with the remaining costs being fronted by the village.

According to a village report, the train station attracts a large volume of pedestrians on a daily basis and existing facilities are no longer managing the traffic efficiently. Pedestrian access routes to and from the Long Island Railroad train station around Middle Neck Road and North Station Plaza are in poor condition and the existing crosswalks and sidewalk ramps do not offer the shortest crossings or optimal handicapped accessibility.

The plan is designed to improve pedestrian safety, bike facilities, streets, sidewalks and ramps. It will also provide an area for public art at the LIRR station.

Other agenda items:

• The board considered public comments and a presentation by Plaza Landmark LLC, owned by real estate developer Frank Lalezarian, for a proposed residential multiple dwelling with affordable housing units to be Located at 245-265 Great Neck Road.

• The board granted a conditional use permit for Fusion Fitness, at 45 Cutter Mill Road.

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